Biomedical Sciences

Program Overview

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Biomedical Sciences

Introduction

Cutting edge translational research addressing global health challenges, aimed at understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how the human body functions, how these change during disease and infection and how this may be used to predict, identify and treat disease.

Study Information

At a Glance

Our research spans biomedical and clinical disciplines ranging from basic laboratory science to clinical and applied research that impacts on many aspects of modern life.

Our aim is to conduct research that ranks among the best in the UK and internationally. Examples of areas of research strength include basic/applied physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and drug discovery, infection and immunity, neuroscience, cell/developmental biology and cancer.

Research in the School is supported by state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Our core facilities provide researchers with access to a range of cutting-edge equipment, staffed by experts who help with experimental design, training and data analysis.

Postgraduate students are supported by the Postgraduate School which provides induction, skills training opportunities and help with career planning.

Our Research

Students wishing to undertake postgraduate research in Medical Sciences can choose from:

• Master of Science in Medical Sciences The Masters of Science in Medical Sciences is an advanced postgraduate research masters degree taken over 12-months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time). The degree is designed to prepare students for PhD study or for careers where advanced-level research skills are required.
• MD (Doctor of Medicine) This postgraduate research degree is awarded for original research carried out in a clinical or health-care related context and is undertaken by clinically qualified medical graduates normally during their postgraduate medical training. The MD Degree is not the undergraduate degree that leads to qualification as a medical doctor; this is the MBChB.
• PhD To apply for PhD studies in any of our research themes, please apply to the Medical Sciences (PhD) programme.

A PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy, a prestigious qualification that demonstrates talent, academic excellence and a thirst for knowledge. It usually culminates in a thesis based on research carried out over the course of 3-4 years. The research must “make a distinct contribution to knowledge and afford evidence of originality as shown by the exercise of independent critical powers”. There are no formal lectures or seminars, but your work will be periodically qualitatively monitored by the Graduate School.

Research Interests

Cardiometabolic Disease

Theme Lead: Professor Nicola Mutch

Research encompasses various aspects of cardiometabolic health focussing on drug development, translational research and patient led studies. Our approach is to drive research from 'bench to bedside and back' to aid new developments in diagnosis and treatment that will reduce the global burden of cardiometabolic disease.

• Supervisors
  • Professor Dana Dawson
  • Professor Mirela Delibegovic
  • Professor Stefan Hoppler
  • Professor Mary Joan MacLeod
  • Dr Nimesh Mody
  • Dr Fiona Murray
  • Professor Nicola Mutch
  • Professor Graeme Nixon
  • Dr Dawn Thompson

Medical Imaging Technologies

Theme Lead: Dr Najat Salameh

Research aims to explore new territories and advance medical imaging by leveraging existing expertise in MRI technologies (field cycling, low-field, functional and cardiac MRI) and PET tracers, as well as pushing towards multi-modality approaches and new image processing techniques.

• Supervisors
  • Dr Lionel Broche
  • Dr Sergio Dall'Angelo
  • Dr James Ross
  • Dr Najat Salameh
  • Dr Mathieu Sarracanie
  • Dr Gordon Waiter

Neuroscience

Theme Lead: Professor Bettina Platt

Research covers general neurophysiology and disorders of the nervous system as diverse as autism, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease. The goal is to understand disease mechanisms and develop better preventative and treatment strategies. The theme is composed of 2 sections:

• Brain Health Section Lead: Professor Peter McCaffery This section focuses on understanding the mechanisms that maintain normal brain function as well as the consequences of their breakdown. Results from these studies are used to design new therapeutics, in particular for diseases of neurodegeneration.
• Neuronal Signalling and Plasticity Section Lead: Dr Guy Bewick The section aims to facilitate innovative clinical approaches by understanding how neurones communicate and interact with target cells and tissues.

Microbiology and Immunity

Theme Lead: Professor Carol Munro

Research approaches span fundamental microbiology, immunology and biochemistry through to single cell RNA sequencing and -omics technologies that investigate human biology, important microorganisms, and a wide range of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo infection models.

• Immunology Section Lead: Professor Heather M Wilson This section investigates the molecular mechanisms associated with innate and adaptive immune responses that contribute to a range of medically important conditions including atopic, inflammatory and infectious diseases, as well as cancers.
• Immunotherapy and Immunomodulation Section Lead: Dr Wael Houssen The research interests of this section cover a wide range of topics from anti-infectives to therapeutic interventions for cancer, ageing, auto-immune disorders, and key diseases that impact on human health.
• Microbial Pathogenesis Section Lead: Professor Pieter van West Our research studies the molecular mechanisms that contribute to bacterial, fungal and oomycete pathogenesis. We have expertise in a broad range of infection models that allow us to investigate host:pathogen interactions at the molecular level.

Molecular and Cellular Function

Theme lead: Professor Neil Vargesson

Research encompasses basic, clinical and applied research to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms and functions that underpin life-long human health and disease.

• Cell and Developmental Biology Section Lead: Professor Valerie Speirs Our basic, applied and translational research investigates the ways in which normal and abnormal embryonic, foetal and postnatal development impacts on human development, health and disease.
• Chromosome and Cellular Dynamics Section Lead: Professor Anne Donaldson Research encompasses understanding how cells decide whether or not to multiply, the mechanisms of DNA replication when cells do multiply, how sister chromatids are kept properly aligned prior to their segregation to daughter cells at mitosis, and how meiotic recombination underpins sexual reproduction.
• Genes and Regulation Section Lead: Alasdair Mackenzie Research focuses on the molecular function of genes and their tissue specific regulation in relation to human health and disease.

Entry Requirements

Normally, the minimum entrance requirement for admission to the PhD is a degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in an appropriate field, or equivalent. It is preferable that you hold a Masters in the chosen area of study as well.

If English is not your first language and you have not studied previously at an institution in the UK, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency in English by taking an IELTS, TOEFL or PTE academic test.

Fees and Funding

View the tuition fee rates.

Scholarships

Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.

Careers

A postgraduate qualification in Biomedical Sciences prepares you for a wide range of career options. Many of our graduates obtain posts in Universities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, or hospital diagnostic and pathology laboratories. Further opportunities are available to apply research training in scientific publishing and communication, charitable sectors, working as a patent examiner on biological patents, in science outreach and contributing to the public understanding of biomedical issues. Some become business entrepreneurs and a few go on to study Medicine.

Related Postgraduate Taught Degrees

• Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Drug Discovery and Development
• Immunology & Immunotherapy
• Medical Imaging
• Medical Physics
• Microbiology

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Master of Science in Medical Sciences

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Overview:

• The Master of Science in Medical Sciences is a postgraduate research master's degree.
• It is designed for students who want to pursue a career in research or who need advanced research skills for other careers.
• The program can be completed in 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time).

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Objectives:

• Prepare students for PhD study.
• Equip students with advanced-level research skills for other career paths.

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Description:

• The program covers a range of topics in medical sciences, including:
• Basic/applied physiology
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry
• Drug discovery
• Infection and immunity
• Neuroscience
• Cell/developmental biology
• Cancer
• Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
• They are supported by the Postgraduate School, which provides induction, skills training, and career planning assistance.

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Degree Outline:

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Program Content:

The program covers a wide range of topics in medical sciences, including:

• Infection & Immunity:
• Molecular mechanisms of infection
• Host defense
• Molecular Medicine:
• Cell and developmental biology
• Cancer
• Systems Physiology:
• Basic and applied physiology
• Pharmacology
• Endocrinology
• Biochemistry
• Drug discovery
• Translational Neuroscience:
• Neuronal function and malfunction
• Genetics
• Molecular biology
• Systems neuroscience

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Program Structure:

• The program is typically completed in 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time).
• Students take a combination of coursework and research.
• Coursework may include lectures, seminars, and laboratory work.
• Research is typically conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.

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Course Schedule:

• The course schedule varies depending on the specific program and student's interests.
• Courses are typically offered in semesters or quarters.
• Students can expect to take a combination of core and elective courses.

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Modules:

• Infection & Immunity:
• IMM3103 - Immunity & Immunopathology
• IMM4001 - Inflammation and Disease
• IMM5015 - The Biology of Infection and Immunity
• IMM5017 - Advanced Topics in Infection and Immunity
• MBI4103 - Microbial Pathogenesis
• Molecular Medicine:
• CBM4111 - Cell Signalling
• CBM5014 - Cancer Cell Biology
• CBM5113 - Advanced Mammalian Cell Biology
• Systems Physiology:
• PHY3515 - Systemic Pharmacology: Integrative Physiology
• PHY3517 - Systems Physiology
• PHY4505 - Experimental Techniques in Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems Physiology
• PHY4509 - Endocrine Pharmacology
• PHY5571 - Systems Aspects of Vascular Biology
• Translational Neuroscience:
• NEU4018 - Neurobiology of Disease
• NEU4517 - Translational Neuroscience
• NEU5504 - Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• NEU5514 - Neuropharmacology

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
• Exams
• Essays
• Presentations
• Research projects
• Dissertations

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Assessment Criteria:

• Assessment criteria vary depending on the specific assessment method.
• They typically focus on the student's ability to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter
• Apply theoretical concepts to real-world situations
• Conduct independent research
• Communicate effectively

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Laboratory work
• Group work

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Faculty:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced and internationally renowned researchers and educators.
• The faculty members have a wide range of expertise in the field of medical sciences.

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Unique Approaches:

• The program offers a number of unique approaches to teaching and learning, including:
• Early engagement in research
• Opportunities to work with industry partners

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

• Graduates of the program have a wide range of career options, including:
• Research positions in academia or industry
• Jobs in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors
• Hospital diagnostic or pathology laboratories
• Scientific publishing and communication
• Charitable sector
• Business entrepreneurship
• Medicine

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Career Opportunities:

• The program provides graduates with the skills and experience they need to succeed in a variety of careers.
• The Postgraduate School also offers career planning assistance.
• The program is research-intensive and provides students with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects.
• The University of Aberdeen is a world-leading research institution with a strong reputation in medical sciences.